Westpac

Macquarie achieved a decade low print for a five year Australian dollar floater this week, as the lack of supply from financial issuers in 2020 has sent spreads grinding downwards.

While election results rolled in across the US on Wednesday, Westpac decided in Australia that it would launch a new additional tier one (AT1) deal, targeting retail and institutional investors.

United Overseas Bank achieved the tightest spread for a five year floating rate bank issue in Australian dollars in over 10 years this week, issuing A$750m ($532.0m) to prove that there is still demand at decade-low levels.

A pair of Asian banks tapped the Australian dollar bond market for a combined A$1.25bn ($880m) on Tuesday. A number of banks have visited the Aussie market in recent weeks to great success, and more are set to follow.

South Korea’s Woori Bank sold its first Kangaroo bond on Thursday, raising A$400m to help fund its response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Woori Bank is preparing to make its Kangaroo bond debut, choosing the market to launch its first Covid-19 response bond.

Woori Bank is set to make its Kangaroo bond debut, seeking to tap the Australian dollar market to fund its coronavirus response.

Singapore’s DBS Bank ventured into the Kangaroo market on Wednesday in search of tier two debt. Though Australian dollar tier two volumes have remained stable year on year, there is a marked decline in offshore issuance so far in 2020.

Australia and New Zealand broke bond syndication records yet again this week, as Australia printed its largest ever deal while New Zealand scooped its largest ever order book with a seven year tap.

UBS raised A$2.75bn ($1.96bn) with a triple tranche senior unsecured deal through its Australian branch on Thursday, printing the largest ever Australian dollar bank deal for a foreign issuer.

The Australian Treasury has chosen the banks that will lead its new June 2051 syndicated offering, which is expected to take place next week.

While bankers in the Northern hemisphere plan well-deserved summer breaks, the Australian and New Zealand dollar markets are set to remain open for business, with some competitive pricing on offer.